I am a descendant of Harris B. Ragsdale and Mahala Ragsdale (b. Dec. 26, 1839 in Tennessee - daughter of Albartis and Gracie Arnwine). Per census records, Harris' father was from Virginia and his mother was from North Carolina. Mahala's parents are discussed in another post. Per tax records, Harris was an astute businessman and owned property in 1865. He continued to amass assets and within 3 years after slavery owned hundreds of acres of property, livestock, etc.,. as indicated on county tax records. We still own some of that original property today. Harris B. and Mahala are both buried in The Ragsdale Family Cemetary just outside Jacksonville, TX. Their son, Walter A Ragsdale (b. 1875) married Mary Jane Dennis and their son Bruett Burt was my great-grandfather.

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